The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is experiencing a methamphetamine crisis, the four local mayors of the US territory have warned.
The mayors of Saipan, Rota, Tinian and Aguiguan, and the Northern Islands say local resources can no longer keep pace with the scale and sophistication of methamphetamine trafficking.
Saipan mayor Ramon “RB” Jose Blas Camacho, Rota mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian and Aguiguan mayor Edwin Aldan, and Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisakan Jr have joined forces to request the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to send additional agents and personnel.
The CNMI’s local law enforcement agency, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), declined to weigh in on the mayors’ request.
DPS acting public information officer Simon Manacop, speaking on behalf of DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, told Marianas Press: “He will not provide a comment as the matter was not addressed to him nor was he consulted about it.”
In a letter dated 10 August 2026, addressed to DEA Director Terrence Cole, the mayors described methamphetamine as an “urgent and escalating threat” to the health, safety and stability of CNMI communities and sought increased federal assistance.
“Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse have reached levels that our local enforcement and community-support systems can no longer sustain alone,” the they wrote.
They said that despite the efforts of local police, community organisations and government agencies, the scale and sophistication of methamphetamine distribution networks operating in the CNMI have “outpaced our available manpower and resources”.
The mayors said the consequences include rising addiction rates, increased property and violent crime, strained social services and the erosion of community well-being.
The mayors specifically asked DEA to deploy additional agents, analysts, and interdiction specialists who could work directly with local law enforcement.
They said additional federal personnel could strengthen intelligence gathering and investigative capacity, support joint operations targeting methamphetamine importation and distribution, and enhance interdiction efforts at ports of entry and along maritime routes.
They also called for training and technical assistance for municipal and CNMI law enforcement and expanded community-based prevention and outreach initiatives.
